When I worked at an art museum, I read a few historical fiction novels about artists, but admittedly, I had only dipped a toe into this genre. Then, before a trip to Hawaii a few years ago, my husband encouraged me to read James A. Michener’s Hawaii. I took his advice and started the massive tome a few weeks before we left, but the beginning was far too heavy on geography and science and far too light on story to keep my interest. I put the book down and headed to Hawaii instead.
Once there, I was so fascinated by the Hawaiian culture and the people that I picked "Hawaii" back up again after our trip. I read it all the way to the end (not quickly mind you – it’s 937 pages!). Thanks to the combination of Hawaii, which lasted through the war years, and a trip to the Pearl Harbor while in Honolulu, I was surprised to find that I was fascinated with World War II. A visit to Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam a year later cemented that interest. Since then, I’ve read The Nightingale, Lilac Girls, All the Light We Cannot See and more.
Last week while on vacation, I asked my Facebook friends for recommendations on books about WWII or other historical fiction to read on the beach. Since avid readers love to share what they’ve read, I received a deluge of suggestions. Here are some of the many historical fiction books my friends loved. I hope you do too! (Please share your historical fiction favorites below!)
Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community. Inspire and be inspired.
I read some essays about her here , and even found some similarities between us, which inspires me even more.